As a new patient, your exam will consist of a complete examination of your teeth and gums. We also check for any changes in your TMJ joints, the joints located in front of each ear that opens and closes your lower jaw. We check for diseases of the inside of your mouth and throat and check for abnormalities of your neck. From this exam a detailed sequential treatment plan is developed and presented to you. Dr. Hendricks feels a healthy mouth sets the stage for a healthy body. As a matter of fact, research now indicates this to be true.

Your dental cleaning, or “prophy” as it is commonly called, is gently performed by my hygienist, Pam Cook. Pam is a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) with over 15 years experience. You will have the option of traditional polishing with prophy cup and paste or aerosol cleaning with the prophy jet, a machine that gently propels powder onto your teeth removing hard to reach stains. You always have the choice of which method best suits your needs. Occasionally, in order to remove hard calculus deposits or tartar, we will use an ultrasonic tip called a cavitron which, through water spray and vibration, gently and thoroughly dislodges the deposits that build up between cleanings. We also use hand insruments to clean if the situation warrants it. Each patient is different and we strive to customize your treatment accordingly.